‘Weapons’ Review – Suspense Done Right… Until It Isn’t

When 17 children from a single teacher’s classroom vanish in the middle of the night, a small town spirals into chaos. Strange deaths, unsettling events, and a constant undercurrent of dread take hold.

It’s a killer premise… literally and figuratively and for most of the movie, Weapons delivers on that eerie promise.

The story had me hooked from the start. The mystery surrounding the missing kids was gripping, the tension was thick, and while there wasn’t a ton of action, the moments that did hit were sharp, shocking, and memorable.

But then came the last 20 minutes… and that’s where the movie stumbled for me. It didn’t crash and burn, but it definitely lost its footing.

Josh Brolin absolutely owns every scene he’s in. He’s the kind of actor who can hold your attention even when nothing’s really happening, and here he’s magnetic. Julia Garner does a solid job too, but her character just isn’t given enough to work with… an unfortunate waste of her talent.

From a technical standpoint, the movie shines. The direction is tight, and the cinematography perfectly supports the ominous, slow-burn nature of the story.

The soundtrack and sound design hit the right notes for a horror flick, but it’s not something you’ll be humming on the way home, it’s functional more than unforgettable.

The concept is fresh… 17 kids, gone without a trace, all connected by one teacher… but the payoff just didn’t land for me. The build up promised something truly jaw dropping, but when the credits rolled, I was left with more of a “Huh, okay,” than a “Holy hell!”

Still, most of the deaths and reveals will get people talking, and horror/thriller fans will likely find more to love here than I did.

Weapons is a suspenseful ride with great performances, strong visuals, and a killer hook. But if, like me, you’re not deep into this style of horror, you may walk away feeling underwhelmed.

Solid 7/10.

Horror lovers? Go for it. Everyone else? Approach with tempered expectations.